A further Incident Management Team (IMT) meeting on a cluster of cases in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area has today confirmed a further three people have tested positive for COVID-19. All three of these individuals are amongst known contacts of the earlier cases, and are already self-isolating.
This now takes the total to 11 and the IMT is contacting anyone who may be affected.
The cases are linked to the M&D Green pharmacy in John Wood Street, Port Glasgow and Amazon in Gourock. Some of the cases visited the following locations during the period in which they may have been infectious to others: The Botany on Maryhill Road in Glasgow City, and The Queen of the Loch by Marston’s Inn, Lomond Woods Holiday Park and Sweeney’s Cruises in West Dunbartonshire.
Health and local environmental health staff are working closely with the all the businesses to trace any close contacts of the cases, and appropriate advice is being given to these individuals including on self-isolation.
All the businesses continue to operate including the pharmacy and are following the guidance on social distancing and other precautions to keep their customers and staff safe.
None of the cases or their contacts who are linked to the pharmacy are currently working there, and infection control measures in the pharmacy have been carefully reviewed. Anyone using the pharmacy or getting their medication from the pharmacy can be reassured that it is safe.
Dr Daniel Carter, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Chair of the IMT, said: “All those who have tested positive for COVID-19 are self-isolating and we are working with a number of businesses including a local pharmacy to trace any close contacts.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind local residents of the importance of continuing with the general measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 to themselves and to others. These include social distancing, regular handwashing, and being vigilant for symptoms. Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and seek a test.
“Anyone who needs to do anything over and above these general measures will be contacted by the Test and Protect service and given specific advice.
“We would also ask that anyone who has been in any of these businesses should stay vigilant and alert to any symptoms suggestive of Covid-19. If symptoms arise people should immediately self-isolate and seek a test otherwise they do not need to do anything additional to these general measures unless they are contacted by the Test and Protect service.”
Dr Linda de Caestecker, Director of Public Health, NHSGGC added: “None of the cases are experiencing anything but mild symptoms and to maintain patient confidentiality we are unable to give any further information on the cases. Each of these cases is being managed and followed up in detail, and all of them are isolating at home.
“All settings that these cases attended during their infectious period have been identified, assessed and are being supported with control measures, and everyone who may have been exposed to these cases is being followed up and given appropriate advice.
“We want to reassure community pharmacies and general practices in the area that no additional precautions are required beyond those already in place to protect patients and staff.
“The pharmacy, which has been named today as M&D Green, continues to provide a valuable service to the community and is following all the correct infection control protocols to ensure customers are safe.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Further information on signs and symptoms is available at www.nhsinform.scot
Specific times of visits:
The Botany: lunchtime on Sunday 26 July
Boat trip: 15:45 cruise on Sunday 26 July
Marston’s inn and Lomond Woods holiday park: weekend of 24 July.